He reposnded to comments by the Prime Minister, who suggested he would tighten strike laws to make it requirement for more than 50 per cent of members to vote in favour of industrial action before a walk-out.

Mr White said: “It is utter hypocrisy. Not one MP in this land was voted in with more than a 50 per cent majority.

“The changes that this government are forcing through in education are unacceptable.

“It is unacceptable to link pay to performance, it is unacceptable to expect teachers to work until they are 68 and it is unacceptable to expect them to work 60-hour weeks.